bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Pope Leo XIV called on Monday for the release of jailed journalists and urged reporters against using words that fan hatred, as Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky invited him to the war-torn country.
Leo, the first US leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, held his introductory audience with journalists at the Vatican four days after being elected pope by cardinals.
After using his first address last Thursday to call for peace around the world, Leo returned to the theme on Monday, saying peace began with communications.
“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred – let us free it from aggression,” he said.
“Let us disarm words, and we will help to disarm the world,” he added.
He offered solidarity with journalists “imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth” and called for them to be freed.
As he was speaking, Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed he had invited the new pontiff to Ukraine in their first phone call.
“I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers, to all our people,” Zelensky said in a post on social media.
Leo had appealed for a “genuine, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine as he greeted crowds from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday.
His predecessor Pope Francis, who died last month aged 88, repeatedly called for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict but never visited either country.
Leo also echoed the Argentine’s words by calling Sunday for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, for all hostages to be freed, and humanitarian aid be sent to Gaza, concluding: “No more war!”


Monday’s audience at the Vatican’s vast Paul VI audience hall, where the pope shook hands and exchanged a few words with assembled journalists but did not take questions, kicked off his first full week as Catholic leader.
On Friday, he will have an audience for foreign diplomats, followed by an inauguration mass at St Peter’s Square on Sunday, which is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims.
The following week will see Leo’s first general audience on May 21, usually a regularly scheduled event for the pope on Wednesdays.
Days later, on May 24, he will meet with the Roman Curia over which he presides, the powerful top officials and department heads running the government of the Holy See.
The world is still getting to know the modest and soft-spoken pontiff born in Chicago, who spent much of his life in the priesthood as a missionary in Peru, where he holds a second citizenship.
Before making him a cardinal in 2023, Francis entrusted Leo with the leadership of the powerful Dicastery of Bishops, which advises the pontiff on bishop appointments.

As pope, Leo will have to heal rifts within the Church, help renew a faith that is declining in many regions and address a host of modern-day challenges, including the fallout of the global sex abuse scandal.
Among the tens of thousands of faithful who came out to see him Sunday, many said they were cheered by signs that Leo would follow in the footsteps of Francis, seeking unity in a fractured world with an attention to the world’s poor.
“He gives me a lot of hope just trying to bring about the universal language of love and peace for one another, especially in such a divided world that we have today,” said Christina Morey, a 31-year-old American.
“I love that he is both continuing Francis’s path while also seeming to create his own, and I’m really excited to see where that will go,” Morey said.
Italian Leo Mita, 34, said the world’s first pope from the United States actually appeared to be “a citizen of the world for rights and for peace”.
Whereas Francis sometimes ruffled feathers among global leaders – and within the Vatican – with his more direct approach, Vatican watchers say Leo will tap his quieter, more collaborative style for best effect on the international stage.
Before addressing the crowds on Sunday, Leo celebrated mass deep beneath the basilica, the site of St Peter’s tomb.
According to a Vatican transcript of his words, Leo urged people “to know how to listen so as not to judge, not to close doors thinking that we have all the truth and nobody else can tell us anything”.


How to get the best kick out of the coming Hong Kong Football Festival

Meet the Chinese baristas keeping Italian cafe culture alive

25 Western nations condemn Israel over ‘inhumane killing’ of civilians in Gaza

Style Edit: Gucci merges timeless elegance with avant-garde flair in its 2025 collection, showcasing exquisite high jewellery, innovative timepieces and a striking collaboration with Pomellato

Italy

Pope Leo urges release of reporters held for ‘seeking truth’, as Zelensky invites to Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV holds an audience with representatives of the media in Paul VI hall at the Vatican on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Pope Leo XIV called for jailed journalists’ release, urging media to promote peace, not hatred, emphasising the power of words. Photo: Reuters

US-born Pope Leo’s past criticism of Trump and Vance sparks Maga backlash

Andrea Gallardo from Texas wears an American flag after Pope Leo appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Photo: AP

US-born Robert Prevost was anointed as Pope Leo on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Newly elected Pope Leo appears on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Photo: Vatican Media via Reuters

People cheer Pope Leo at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters

US Vice-President J.D.Vance meets with Pope Francis on April 20, the day before Francis died. Photo: Vatican Media via Reuters

‘DA POPE!’ Leo XIV’s Chicago roots unleash spate of holy humour

The Chicago Sun Times front page showing Pope Leo XIV is seen on a newspaper rack on Friday. Photo: AP

The Wiener’s Circle, an iconic Chicago hot dog stand known for posting quirky phrases on its sign, posted on social media that its current sign translates to “He has eaten our dogs”. Photo: AP

Villanova rejoices as alumnus, American ‘Bob’ becomes Pope Leo XIV, the first US pontiff

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost appears at the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter’s Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Villanova celebrates as alumnus Cardinal Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV, marking a historic first for the US and Augustinian order. Photo: Reuters

Students sit on the lawn outside St. Thomas of Villanova Church at the campus of Villanova University. The university celebrated as alumnus Cardinal Prevost became Pope Leo XIV. Photo: AFP

Reverend Robert Hagan says Pope Leo XIV was just “Bob” to the people on campus Photo: Reuters

What’s in a name? Pope Leo XIV’s choice signals commitment to social justice

Robert Prevost was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Photo: AP Photo

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday. Photo: AP

The faithful react in St Peter’s Square after the election of Pope Leo XIV on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pope Francis meets US Vice-President J.D. Vance during an audience at Casa Santa Marta in April. Photo: Vatican Media via TNS

News

World

Europe

United States & Canada

During the pope’s first address, President Zelensky invited him to Ukraine, seeking hope amid conflict


During the pope’s first address, President Zelensky invited him to Ukraine, seeking hope amid conflict.
